Thai solar calendar

A panel from a typical calendar, showing the month of August 2004 (B.E. 2547). Lunar dates are also provided.

The Thai solar calendar (Thai: ปฏิทินสุริยคติไทย, RTGS: patithin suriyakhati thai, "solar calendar") was adopted by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1888 CE as the Siamese version of the Gregorian calendar, replacing the Thai lunar calendar as the legal calendar in Thailand (though the latter is still also used, especially for traditional and religious events). Years are now counted in the Buddhist Era (B.E.): พุทธศักราช, พ.ศ. RTGS: Phutthasakkarat (lit. 'era of the Shaka Buddha') which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.